Post by crispygull on Sept 11, 2008 12:28:22 GMT

I would love to see us "do an England" - but I just dont think we've got the personnel to do that. I would love to see our central midfielders pressing them back in their own half, but I suspect they are more likely to be sitting in front of our back four again - inviting pressure on us. Given the capabilities of the Cambridge strike force, I expect them to beat us by at least two clear goals. I cant see us scoring either as I cant see our strikers seeing enough of the ball in the areas where it matters to be able to hurt them.

We live in hope that action is going on behind the scenes, as hinted at by Dave R - although there is no evidence of it coming out of the club. The only "news" being that two of our players have been made available for loan, which could hopefully lead to a couple of replacements coming in - although again, it must be said there is absolutely no talk of that on an official basis, merely "speculation" by fans that we are looking at players - in other words the sort of stuff that is always going on anyway!

If he is looking to add to the squad, then in all probability , it may well be that Paul Buckle will have to move these guys out, before he can even think about bringing players in - and as things stand, it doesnt seem as though other clubs are clamouring for their (Brough and Dsane's) services at the moment, so I'm not holding my breath!

I predict a 2-0 defeat. The team will I imagine be pretty much as you were for Northwich, with Todd coming in for (the injured) Woods and Sills starting ahead of Green.

As for Paul Buckle's position, I dont think too many fans are expecting us to get too much from this game in all honesty, and so barring a really heavy defeat, I dont expect a narrow loss to lead to any decisions being made as far as his tenure at the club is concerned. The "big" game for him is probably going to be the home game v Eastbourne next Saturday, where I doubt the crowd will be much more than 1500 in all honesty, unless we get something against Cambridge of course! If the unthinkable (at least it was before the season started) should happen and we were to lose against them, it would surely put PB's position under serious threat?

Post by Dave on Sept 11, 2008 15:29:04 GMT

Crispy some very good points made in your post, I have put the score as two, one to us in my prediction entry, mainly because I still want to try and be positive.

I can only relay what I was told, that we looking to bring in two players one who could come in straight away, as you say there has been no news, so I don't think we will see any new players lining up for this game. I do believe this team as got to click at some time, it could happen this weekend, who knows?

Like I said, based on what I was told, I said I would give some time to see If players came in and what effect that would have. Like everything I have given It a time limit and hope that It does happen.

Post by crispygull on Sept 11, 2008 16:55:39 GMT

Crispy some very good points made in your post, I have put the score as two, one to us in my prediction entry, mainly because I still want to try and be positive.

I can only relay what I was told, that we looking to bring in two players one who could come in straight away, as you say there has been no news, so I don't think we will see any new players lining up for this game. I do believe this team as got to click at some time, it could happen this weekend, who knows?

Like I said, based on what I was told, I said I would give some time to see If players came in and what effect that would have. Like everything I have given It a time limit and hope that It does happen.

Interesting you say about a time limit though Dave - because in the worst case scenario I have outlined above (a run of two defeats) - we would have taken just 8 points from our opening 10 games and would almost certainly be in one of the relegation places should that happen.

Not only that, but we would have taken just 4 points from our last 8 games .

Now, I know I'm probably being overly pessimistic here but surely in that scenario it would be difficult for a Manager, any Manager come to that, to survive that sort of run, but to be Manager of a club with such high expectations of promotion it is of course several times worse.

I just feel that it's all very well being given time to sort things out, but surely if results go against us in the next two games -time may already have run out for Paul Buckle. Like you say, it doesnt look as though we are going to be bringing in any new players before Saturday now (Cambridge have made an excellent signing in Danny Crow by the way) and I have to say that I had hoped we might have acted by now. By Sunday of next week - time could be up - and it may be too late for PB to save his job. Not that the board would want to take action perhaps, but the falling gates may force their hand I fear.

Post by Dave on Sept 11, 2008 17:53:34 GMT

Crispy, my reference to a time limit, was not on how much time the manager should be given, It referred only to how much time, I would give, what I was told to happen. I trust that it was given in good faith and I firmly believe it to be true.

As we know from experience, trying to get players and actually getting them often turn out to be two different things, even with the best will in the world. If we were to lose on Saturday, the pressure will just crank up another gear and I also think the next home gate would be below 2000.

I'm sure all at the club are praying for a win, but if it does not happen and we do get a low gate for the next home game, once again the pressure will crank up even further. While they still may have faith, in Buckle, the low gates could be the reason the board would feel they have to act, as such low gates won't even be a break even figure.

All of this is still an unknown, we have a game on Saturday, we all want the win, as they say in football, we need to take one game at a time and see where we are at the end of each game.

If as you think that we would need to get the two players out on loan, before we could bring in two new ones, that may be a major stumbling block and will deny the manager the opportunity to try and resolve what we all know are the problem areas in the team.The result of this may be no improvements in results and then as you say It could spell the end Of Buckle as the manager. I hope that he can turn things around, but It now Is his time, to show he has got what it takes.

Post by rjdgull on Sept 11, 2008 19:19:50 GMT

I think that morale boosting pep talk from Crispy really highlights how important this next game is but as Dave says, we need to take one match at a time and then react accordingly.

We have played well as a team for short periods such as during most of the second half against York and if things click then anything can happen and no result is a foregone conclusion. I just want to see us win!!

In respect of the starting eleven I see that Adams is back in training and wonder if he will be recalled to the side with Mansell back at RB? Surely there will be a recall for Todd? Not sure about the strikers but would go for the workrate of Sills and Benyon

The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2008 19:21:31 GMT

rjd i think up front will be green and benyon they have more pace and looked good togeather in the first half on sunday. i think you got it right that mansell will go to right back and i think thompson will start with hargreaves and hodges at left back. carlisle on the right midfield and stevens on the left.

Post by rjdgull on Sept 13, 2008 5:45:51 GMT

The selections are certainly more interesting this season!

Dartgull, didn't see much of Green last week as sat in the family stand - only saw the off-side flag going up! Like to think he can rediscover his scoring touch after his pre-season reviews. (One Oxford supporter thought he would be the conference top scorer.)

Can't criticise your side but wondered if we need someone in midfield who can find that killer pass - particularly if we play two quick forwards? Whatever the side, it is going to be really tough today.

The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

Post by andygulls on Sept 13, 2008 14:22:54 GMT

Does seem a bit strange, we will have to see If It works, If It does not, then you can be sure this decision will be questioned.

Dave I'm questioning it whether it works or not!What does this say about his own signings?How should we expect Thompson to play given that the young man has been played at right back, midfield and up front in very few minutes of football! Not exactly giving the lad a steady base to develop consistency and a quality performance